Distinctive Coins

Distinctive Coins We specialize in Coins and Currency from all countries as well as Gold, Silver and Bullion Products.

In 1914, during the early years of the Republic of China, a large silver coin began circulating across the country. Offi...
05/30/2026

In 1914, during the early years of the Republic of China, a large silver coin began circulating across the country. Officially known as the Yuan Shikai Dollar, it soon earned the nickname “Fatman Dollar” because of the portrait of Yuan Shikai shown on the front. Yuan was a powerful military leader and the first president of the new Chinese republic after the fall of the Qing Dynasty.

The front of the coin showed Yuan in military uniform, symbolizing authority and the beginning of a new political era in China. The reverse displayed the denomination surrounded by wreaths, representing prosperity and national unity. Struck in fine silver, the coin quickly became trusted in trade and was widely used throughout China and East Asia.

This coin appeared during a time of major change. For over two thousand years China had been ruled by emperors, but the revolution of 1911 ended imperial rule and created a republic. The Fatman Dollar became one of the first major coins of modern China and reflected the country’s attempt to modernize its economy and currency system.

Today, the Chinese Fatman Dollar is remembered as both a historic silver coin and a symbol of China’s transition from empire to republic during one of the most important periods in its history.

Distinctive Coins U.S. & World Coin & Currency Show Today! 11:00am - 3:30pmhttps://www.ebay.com/ebaylive/events/fdaaXMvn...
05/30/2026

Distinctive Coins U.S. & World Coin & Currency Show Today! 11:00am - 3:30pm
https://www.ebay.com/ebaylive/events/fdaaXMvnD0HZzE7R
Join Distinctive Coins Live! Explore world & U.S. coins, rare currency, and collectibles. Bid, buy, and discover treasures with fellow collectors in real time. FREE SHIPPING!!

Distinctive Coins U.S. & World Coin & Currency Show Today! 5:00pm - 9:00pmhttps://www.ebay.com/ebaylive/events/kbspyixhY...
05/29/2026

Distinctive Coins U.S. & World Coin & Currency Show Today! 5:00pm - 9:00pm
https://www.ebay.com/ebaylive/events/kbspyixhYfMkri5T
Join Distinctive Coins Live! Explore world & U.S. coins, rare currency, and collectibles. Bid, buy, and discover treasures with fellow collectors in real time. FREE SHIPPING!!

Issued in 1910, this Australian Shilling was part of the very first silver coin series produced for the newly formed Com...
05/29/2026

Issued in 1910, this Australian Shilling was part of the very first silver coin series produced for the newly formed Commonwealth of Australia. Struck in sterling silver, the coin represented a young nation beginning to establish its own identity after federation in 1901.

The reverse features the early Australian Coat of Arms, supported by the kangaroo and emu, symbols that would become iconic representations of Australia. The obverse displays King Edward VII, reflecting Australia’s ties to the British Empire during the early 20th century.

Coins like this circulated through Australia during a time of national growth, expanding trade, and the development of a modern economy. More than a century later, the 1910 Australian Shilling remains one of the most historic and collectible coins of Australia’s pre-decimal era.

A true piece of Australian history preserved in silver.

Afterlife – Rites of PassageA Viking ship emerges from the cold northern waters as smoke rises from a distant village al...
05/28/2026

Afterlife – Rites of PassageA Viking ship emerges from the cold northern waters as smoke rises from a distant village along the shore. Warriors stand beside wooden docks while a lone helmet rests in the foreground, reminding viewers of the dangerous journeys and battles of the Viking Age. This modern silver coin, issued by Palau in 2021, was created as part of the “Afterlife – Rites of Passage” series and honors the legacy of the Vikings.

The detailed design captures the spirit of Norse exploration during a time when Viking sailors traveled across Europe in longships powered by wind and oars. These ships carried traders, settlers, and warriors to distant lands including England, France, Iceland, and even North America centuries before Columbus.

The red-and-white sail stands out against the antique silver finish, symbolizing both adventure and conflict. The scene reflects Viking life — a world shaped by seafaring, warfare, mythology, and survival in the harsh northern climate.

Although this is a modern commemorative coin rather than an ancient artifact, it was designed to tell the story of the Viking people and the enduring fascination with their history. Today, collectors value pieces like this for their artistic detail, high silver quality, and dramatic connection to the legendary Viking Age.

Distinctive Coins U.S. & World Coin & Currency Show Today! 5:00pm - 9:00pmhttps://www.ebay.com/ebaylive/events/ZpxURoRgD...
05/27/2026

Distinctive Coins U.S. & World Coin & Currency Show Today! 5:00pm - 9:00pm
https://www.ebay.com/ebaylive/events/ZpxURoRgDinQbldW
Join Distinctive Coins Live! Explore world & U.S. coins, rare currency, and collectibles. Bid, buy, and discover treasures with fellow collectors in real time. FREE SHIPPING!!

During the American Civil War, small coins began disappearing from circulation as people hoarded gold and silver out of ...
05/27/2026

During the American Civil War, small coins began disappearing from circulation as people hoarded gold and silver out of fear and uncertainty. To solve the problem, the United States government introduced tiny paper notes called Fractional Currency, like the ones shown in this image. Issued between 1862 and 1876, these notes replaced coins for everyday purchases and were printed in denominations such as 3, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents.

The notes featured portraits of important American figures, including George Washington and Treasury officials, along with patriotic symbols and detailed engraving designed to prevent counterfeiting. Their small size made them easy to carry and practical for buying food, supplies, and other daily necessities during wartime.

Fractional Currency became an important part of the Union economy while the nation struggled through the hardships of the Civil War. Millions of Americans used these small paper notes as ordinary money during a time of political division, military conflict, and economic uncertainty.

Although they were meant to be temporary, these notes helped shape the future of American paper currency. Today, Civil War Fractional Currency is valued by collectors for its unusual appearance, historical importance, and connection to one of the most difficult periods in United States history.

1872 Italian 5 Lire 1872, the Kingdom of Italy issued a large silver 5 Lire coin during the reign of King Victor Emmanue...
05/26/2026

1872 Italian 5 Lire 1872, the Kingdom of Italy issued a large silver 5 Lire coin during the reign of King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy. The coin was created only a few years after Italy became a single nation, following centuries of division among separate kingdoms and states.

The front of the coin showed Victor Emmanuel II facing right, surrounded by the inscription “VITTORIO EMANUELE II.” The reverse displayed the crowned shield of the Kingdom of Italy within a wreath, along with the words “REGNO D’ITALIA,” meaning “Kingdom of Italy.”

Struck in 90% silver, the 5 Lire was one of the major coins of the new Italian kingdom and symbolized national unity and modernization. Coins like this reflected the success of the Risorgimento, the movement that united Italy under one government.

Victor Emmanuel II, along with leaders such as Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Cavour, helped shape modern Italy. Today, the 1872 Italian 5 Lire is valued for its silver content, historical importance, and connection to the birth of unified Italy.

In 1732, the Spanish Empire introduced a new silver coin that would become one of the most recognized forms of money in ...
05/25/2026

In 1732, the Spanish Empire introduced a new silver coin that would become one of the most recognized forms of money in the world. Known today as the Pillar Dollar, or the Spanish 8 Reales, the coin was created to support Spain’s growing global trade network and to provide a reliable silver currency for commerce across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

The front of the coin displayed the crowned coat of arms of Spain, representing the authority of the Spanish king and the power of the empire. Around the shield appeared inscriptions naming the ruling monarch and his royal titles.

The reverse carried the design that made the coin famous. Two large columns, known as the Pillars of Hercules, stood above ocean waves beside two crowned globes representing the Old World and the New World. Wrapped around the pillars was a banner bearing the Latin phrase:

“PLUS ULTRA” meaning “Further Beyond.”

The motto symbolized Spain’s expansion across the oceans and its growing empire in the Americas.

Because the Pillar Dollar contained a dependable amount of high-quality silver, merchants around the world trusted it. Spanish ships carried millions of these coins through Atlantic and Pacific trade routes, and they circulated widely in Europe, colonial America, the Caribbean, and China. In the American colonies, where British coins were often scarce, the Spanish dollar became one of the most commonly used forms of money.

Over time, the Pillar Dollar became so influential that the early United States later based its own dollar on the same silver standard. Many historians also believe the modern dollar sign may have developed from the image of the two pillars and ribbon shown on the coin.

Today, the Pillar Dollar is remembered as one of history’s first global currencies — a silver coin that connected the continents, empires, and international trade during the age of exploration.

In 1935, Canada introduced its first official silver dollar coin during the reign of King George V. The coin was created...
05/24/2026

In 1935, Canada introduced its first official silver dollar coin during the reign of King George V. The coin was created to celebrate the king’s twenty-fifth year on the throne and marked an important moment in Canadian history, as it was the first dollar coin issued specifically for Canada.

The front of the coin showed a portrait of King George V facing left, surrounded by a Latin inscription identifying him as king and emperor. The portrait reflected Canada’s connection to the British Crown during the early twentieth century.

The reverse featured a design that would become one of the most famous images in Canadian coinage. It showed a voyageur and an Indigenous guide paddling a canoe loaded with furs across northern waters. Pine trees and the northern sky appeared in the background, symbolizing Canada’s wilderness and the importance of the fur trade in the country’s early development.

The design was created by artist Emanuel Hahn and became known as the “Voyageur Dollar.” It represented exploration, trade, and the rugged northern landscape that helped shape Canada’s history.

The coin was struck in 80 percent silver and quickly became admired for both its detailed artwork and national symbolism. Although many Canadian silver dollars were produced in later years, the 1935 issue remained special because it was the first.

Today, the 1935 Canadian Silver Dollar is remembered as one of Canada’s most important coins, valued by collectors for its silver content, historic meaning, and classic Canadian design.

In 1878, the United States began producing a new silver coin that would later become one of the most recognized coins in...
05/23/2026

In 1878, the United States began producing a new silver coin that would later become one of the most recognized coins in American history — the Morgan Dollar. Named after its designer, George T. Morgan, the coin was created during a time when silver mining was booming across the American West.

The front of the coin featured Lady Liberty wearing a crown decorated with cotton and wheat, symbols of American agriculture and unity. Around her portrait were thirteen stars representing the original colonies, along with the motto:
“E PLURIBUS UNUM” meaning “Out of many, one.”

Morgan chose to give Liberty a more American appearance rather than copying older European-style designs. The portrait was believed to be modeled after Anna Willess Williams, a schoolteacher from Philadelphia.

The reverse of the coin displayed a bald eagle with its wings spread wide. In its claws, the eagle held arrows and an olive branch, symbols of strength and peace. Around the design appeared, the inscriptions:
“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “ONE DOLLAR”, and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

The Morgan Dollar was made from 90 percent silver and was produced at several U.S. Mint locations, including Philadelphia, San Francisco, New Orleans, Carson City, and later Denver. Coins from Carson City became especially famous because of their connection to Nevada silver mines and the American frontier.

The coin was created after the U.S. Government agreed to purchase large amounts of silver from western mining companies. As a result, millions of Morgan Dollars were struck between 1878 and 1904, with one final year of production in 1921.

Over time, the Morgan Dollar became more than just money. It came to represent the growth of the United States during the late 1800s — a period of railroads, mining towns, western expansion, and industrial change. Today, collectors value Morgan Dollars for their large silver design, historical importance, and strong connection to the American West.

Address

422 75th Street
Downers Grove, IL
60516

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 4pm

Website

https://shop.distinctivecoins.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Distinctive Coins posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share